Herpetofaunal Diversity in Papikonda National Park, Eastern Ghats, Andhra Pradesh, India

The present study was conducted at Papikonda National Park, located in the northern part of the Eastern Ghats, Andhra Pradesh. A total of 51 herpetofaunal species were recorded, including 18 amphibians, 21 lizards, 10 snakes, and 2 turtles. Among these, three species Minervarya kalinga, Sphaerotheca maskeyi, and Hemidactylus kangerensis were reported for the first time from Andhra Pradesh. According to the IUCN Red List (2024), 46 species are listed as Least Concern, three species have not accessed yet, while species such as Hemidactylus kangerensis (Endangered), and Lissemys punctata (Vulnerable) are considered threatened. This study provides a comprehensive list of herpetofaunal species in Papikonda National Park, a region with unique habitat types in Andhra Pradesh that had previously been unexplored for reptiles and amphibians. By documenting these species, the study addresses a gap in research and provides a valuable baseline data for the conservation of herpetofauna, including threatened species and their habitats.